Casey: Reveling in Red Sox Nation

Veteran enjoying life as a role player in Boston

Before coming to the Red Sox, I had played for four different teams, including some really great baseball cities with some great history. But nothing compares to playing baseball in Boston. It's like a rock concert every night at Fenway Park.

As a player on an opposing club, you think to yourself that it would be real cool to play in Boston and be part of that passion that accompanies the Red Sox. I've always wanted to play in Fenway Park, and the experience has been more than I even thought it would be. It's exceeded my expectations tenfold. It's just a great place to call home and to play.

It doesn't end with your homestand, either. The fans come out on the road, too. The "Red Sox Nation" thing really is legit. There are fans everywhere.

My transition to this team has been easy. From upper management to Terry Francona -- who is great to play for -- to the great bunch of guys in the clubhouse, things have really worked out for me.

It's the first year in my career that I haven't been an everyday starter, but I knew I'd be a role player when I signed here, and I'm grateful to be able to help the club. I've gotten my fair share of at-bats filling in for injured playes here and there and giving guys a rest.

There's a bit of adjustment to staying sharp as a role player. To keep things going for me at the plate, I've spent a lot of time in the batting cage with coach Dave Magadan. I just have to go about my business and get in my work. It's been about establishing a routine.

I've only been to the playoffs once before -- in 2006 with Detroit. This club has a similar feel, so I'm pretty optimistic about our chances. You know you are a good team when you pitch and catch well. We do those things, and we have a great offense, too.

There's a confidence factor, too. A lot of these guys are established winners. This team won it all last year, and so many of those guys are back, so we have high expectations. It's always cool to be on a successful team that expects to win.

I was 9-for-17 with a couple of homers for the Tigers in the 2006 World Series, so from a personal standpoint, that stands out as the greatest time of my career. If I do get back to the World Series, it's going to be difficult to duplicate the success.

But I'd love the opportunity to try again. That's for sure.

Sean Casey, affectionately known as "The Mayor" for his outgoing and friendly personality, has given the Red Sox a productive bat off the bench this season with a .362 average (.415 OBP) in 130 at-bats. The New Jersey-born Casey is a .303 career hitter over 12 seasons with Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Boston.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.